Fish Creek - Bear viewing
(July 27, 2007)
(July 27, 2007)
Lou says....
Photographing bears is high on the list of things we wanted to do here in Alaska and Fish Creek is one of only a few bear viewing platforms in the state. The others require prior reservations and/or are in remote areas that are expensive to get to.
We first learned of Fish Creek bear viewing by word of mouth then did some research on the Internet. Because of the way our travels were working out the timing was right to stop here now. The Salmon start to run mid July and that is when the bears start to come in numbers. That was the good news. The bad news is that this year the Salmon are late and as a result there are fewer bears than normal, but, there are some bears to be seen because this area has one of the highest consternation of bears in Alaska.
Fish Creek is in the Tongrass National Forest and The National Forest Service has constructed a 660 foot raised viewing platform. This year a daily use fee has been implemented but holders of a National Parks Senior Pass can enter for free.
There are two parking areas, one at the entrance to the viewing platform and a larger parking area a few hundred feet further. The first parking area has three handicap spaces and the second is large enough for a few large motorhomes. Between the two parking lots is a new restroom.
The viewing area is open from 6 AM to 10 PM and Forest Rangers are present to monitor the bears and and take action should they become threatening, which is very seldom. Never once did we witness a problem.
The best viewing times are between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM and 6 PM to 9:30 PM. On cool days mid to late afternoon is also good. Be patient, sometimes you will need to wait an hour of more for the bears to show. If you have a hand held scanner you can monitor the Forest Rangers giving bear locations. Set the frequency to 169.125 MHz.
One thing, besides the bears, that you will see are many serious photographers and videographers. Some are professionals who come and stay here during the peak viewing season. Being an amateur photographer myself gave me the opportunity to become acquainted with one in particular, John Pickles. John has all the right equipment, which I wish I could afford, and the talent to get fantastic images. Take a look at his web site.
We purchased an excellent video of the Fish Creek bears put out by Ed and Lorna Chauvaud. We don't know them personally but did have an opportunity say hi to them on the viewing deck. You can visit their web site to learn more.
You can learn more about Fish Creek at fishcreek.org or Nature Watch Alaska
Photographing bears is high on the list of things we wanted to do here in Alaska and Fish Creek is one of only a few bear viewing platforms in the state. The others require prior reservations and/or are in remote areas that are expensive to get to.
We first learned of Fish Creek bear viewing by word of mouth then did some research on the Internet. Because of the way our travels were working out the timing was right to stop here now. The Salmon start to run mid July and that is when the bears start to come in numbers. That was the good news. The bad news is that this year the Salmon are late and as a result there are fewer bears than normal, but, there are some bears to be seen because this area has one of the highest consternation of bears in Alaska.
Fish Creek is in the Tongrass National Forest and The National Forest Service has constructed a 660 foot raised viewing platform. This year a daily use fee has been implemented but holders of a National Parks Senior Pass can enter for free.
There are two parking areas, one at the entrance to the viewing platform and a larger parking area a few hundred feet further. The first parking area has three handicap spaces and the second is large enough for a few large motorhomes. Between the two parking lots is a new restroom.
The viewing area is open from 6 AM to 10 PM and Forest Rangers are present to monitor the bears and and take action should they become threatening, which is very seldom. Never once did we witness a problem.
The best viewing times are between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM and 6 PM to 9:30 PM. On cool days mid to late afternoon is also good. Be patient, sometimes you will need to wait an hour of more for the bears to show. If you have a hand held scanner you can monitor the Forest Rangers giving bear locations. Set the frequency to 169.125 MHz.
One thing, besides the bears, that you will see are many serious photographers and videographers. Some are professionals who come and stay here during the peak viewing season. Being an amateur photographer myself gave me the opportunity to become acquainted with one in particular, John Pickles. John has all the right equipment, which I wish I could afford, and the talent to get fantastic images. Take a look at his web site.
We purchased an excellent video of the Fish Creek bears put out by Ed and Lorna Chauvaud. We don't know them personally but did have an opportunity say hi to them on the viewing deck. You can visit their web site to learn more.
You can learn more about Fish Creek at fishcreek.org or Nature Watch Alaska
Page 2 of 4
High speed connection required
Issue #6
July 27th 2007
July 27th 2007
Material on this web site is copyrighted and may not be downloaded, copied, or reproduced. Web design by Lou Petkus
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
